Handle and exhaust mounting struc



Feb. 14, 1956 D. B. TSCHUDY 2,734,220

HANDLE AND EXHAUST MOUNTING STRUCTURES FOR SUCTION CLEANERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1951 1 If. 1 z: 75 70 0 5| 33 I. L T: YT-JZEZ' :l

O 50 n 54 s 3 2 52 53 7 68 INVENTOR.

DONALD B. TSCHUDY Feb. 14, 1956 D. B. TSCHUDY 2,734,220

HANDLE AND EXHAUST MOUNTING STRUCTURES FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed May 14, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

DONALD B. TSCHUDY ATT'Y Feb. 14, 1956 D. B. TSCHUDY 2,734,220

HANDLE AND EXHAUST MOUNTING STRUCTURES FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed May 14, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

INVENTOR. DONALD B. TSCHUDY BY ATT'Y United States Patent HANDLE AND EXHAUST MQUNTING STRUC- TURES FOR sUoTioN CLEANERS Donald B. Tschudy, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 14, 1951, Serial No. 226,227 Claims. (Cl. 15-410) The present invention relates to the art of suction cleaning apparatuses and more particularly to a construction for resumin a propelling handle and a filter mounting exhaust conduit upon the cleaner body. It is a principal object of my invention to provide a pivoting mounting for a handle and an exhaust elbow upon an ambulatory suction cleaner in which the handle and exhaust elbow pivot about a common axis. Another object of the invention is to pivot the handle upon the cleaner body proper and to pivot the exhaust elbow upon the handle in communication with an exhaust duct in the body proper through a portion of the handle. It is another-object of the invention to mount a filter support conduit so that the same is normally constrained to move in unison with the handle "but which may be pivoted on the handle to bring the outlet portion of the conduit into ready accessibility for .purposes of applying'or removing a filter sack. It is another object of the invention to mount a suction cleaner exhaust conduit on a pivotal manipulating handle in such manner that the same may readily be removed from the handle without disturbing the mounting of the handle on the cleaner body. It is another object of the invention to provide a cleaner having a pivoted handle carrying an exhaust elbow with means for retaining the exhaust elbow in a particular position with reference to the handle to facilitate filter assembly. And it is still another object of the invention to provide a novel bearing construction for a manipulating handle for suction cleaners. It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel bearing assembly for a pivoted handle and exhaust elbow in which theexhaust elbow is pivoted to the handle in such manner that only a single running seal is provided.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 .is .a-sideele'vational view of a suction cleaner embodying my invention, having a .portion thereof sectioned along the line 1-1 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the apparatus of Figure 'l with the exhaust elbow in the running position and with "certain parts broken away to show an interior construction;

Figure 3 is an enlarged scale view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 -is a fragmentary sectional view taken along theline 1-4 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, I illustrate a suction cleaning apparatus comprising a main frame 1 mounted upon supporting wheels 2 and having a suction nozzle 3 across the front thereof. A hood 4 overlies the top portion of the frame 1 and 'encases the customary electric motor which drives a suction fan, not shown,

which will be mounted in 'a fan chamber 6, see Figure 3, in tlreea'sifig 1 in a'k'riewn manner.

The herein disclosed invention is an improvement 2,734,226 Fatented Feb. 14, 1956 over the invention disclosed and claimed in the co-pending application of Werner G. Seck, Serial No. 200,391, filed December 12, 1950. The general arrangement of the cleaner herein disclosed is the same as that disclosed in the aforesaid co-pending application; hence, the illustration in this case is generally restricted to those features constituting an improvement over the aforesaid application. The main frame 1 of the apparatus includes the fan chamber '6 communicating with a reversely bent exhaust duct 7 having an open top. The duct 7 terminates in a half-round mouth portion 8 directed at right angles to the longitudinal, center line of the frame. The upper portion of the duct 7 is completed by a cover shell 9 having a half-round portion 10 registering with thehalfround portion 8 to form a circular exhaust port as shown most clearly in Figure 4. The cover shell 9 is secured to a side flange 11 on the frame 1 by means of securing bolts 12 passing through outwardly projecting lugs 13 on the conduit forming member 9. The bolts 12 engage in suitable tapped holes 14 formed in the flange 11 to secure the conduit forming member 9 in air tight relationship with the open top portion of the conduit 7. The side flanges 11 of the main frame terminate in a downwardly directed, peripheral skirt 16 which terminates at the rear of the frame 1m leave a deep, generally U-shaped indenration centrally of the rear portion of the frame. The frame also includes a horizontal platform portion '17 extended across the rear thereof and within the perimeter of the skirt 16. The horizontal platform 17 is substantially co-planer with the lowermost portion of the mouth section sand is provided with a-cut-out section 19 adjacent the mo'uth sections '8 and 10 to form a clearance opening between these members and the center line of the machine.

A bearing ring 20, preferably of hardened steel, is press-fitted around the projecting mouth forming sectiohs 8-10 on the exterior thereof. The ring 20 carries an outwardly directed flange 21 on the end thereof embracing the mouth forming members 8-10 and a reduced diameter cylindrical section 22 joined to the ring 20 'by an annular flange 23. A felt sealing washer 24 is squeezed between the flange 23 and the edge portion of the members 8-10 to form a continuous air and dirt seal at this point between the bearing ring 20 and the exhaust mouth of the air duct 7.

The main frame platform 17 carries a pair of upstanding pillars 27 and 28 positioned in spaced relation to each other and on the side of the cleaner opposite to that provided with the exhaust mouth. The pillars 27 and 28 support a pivot pin 29 which is aligned with the center of the exhaust mouth formed by the members 8 and 10 and axially aligned with the bearing ring 20.

An elongated propelling handle 30 of conventional construction seats, at its lower end, in a handle socket 31 carried by a generally channel-shaped handle mounting frame 32. The handle mounting frame 32 is provided with a base portion 33 having projecting flanges 34 and 35 at its opposite sides. The flanges 34 and 35 actually constitute a handle mounting bail joined on one side by the base plate 33. The flange 34 is provided with a bushing 36 pivotally mounted on the pin 29 to form the left hand handle pivot as viewed in Figure 3. The flange 35 is larger than the flange 34 and is provided with an enlar'ged opening within which a bearing 37 is press-fitted. The bearing ring 37 has an outwardly directed annular flange 38 at the outside face of the flange 35 engageable with the flange 21 of the bearing ring 20 to limit axial movement of the handle structure to the right as viewed in Figure 3. The ring 37 is preferably of brass and has its inner surface fabricated to form a running fit with the outer surface of the bearing ring 20. The bearing rings 20 and 37 form the right hand pivot for the handle structure as viewed in Figure 3. The bearing ring 37 has a reduced diameter cylindrical section 39 positioned between the flanges 34 and 35 and connected to the ring 37 by an annular flange 40. A sealing gasket is positioned around the cylindrical section 22 of the ring 20 within the ring 37 and bears between the flanges 40 and 23 to form a running air and dirt seal between the bearing rings 37 and 20.

The pin 29 is retained in the supporting pillars 27 and 28 by a spring clip 43 attached to the outer end thereof. The handle support flange 34 carries a projecting plate 44 which extends through a slot 45 in the piat form 17 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. A sleeve 46 surrounds the pivoting pin 29 bearing at one end on a thrust washer 47 which engages a side face of the plate 44. The other end of the sleeve 46 bears upon thrust washer shims 48 which are adjusted to push the handle structure to the right as viewed in Figure 3 a distance sufficient to maintain a compressive seal on the gasket 41. The position of the handle structure can be changed to take up for wear upon the seal 41 by adding additional shims 48 or by replacing them with slightly larger and less worn shims. A handle counter-balancing torsion spring 49 is wrapped around the sleeve 46 and has its end portions bearing upon the pillar 27 and flange 34 to urge the handle to the upright position illustrated in Figure 1.

As shown most clearly in Figure l, the handle positioning plate 44 is provided with a plurality of peripheral notches 51 adapted to be engaged by an upstruck tongue 52 carried by a foot pedal 53 which is pivotally mounted on the bottom of the main frame as indicated at 54. The main frame also carries a leaf spring 50 bearing upon the lower surface of the pedal 53 urging the same in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure l to keep the tongue 52 bearing upon the outer edge of the plate 44 or to urge the same into Whichever notch 51 happens to be aligned therewith at any particular time. In Figure 1, the parts are shown with the handle in storage position and the tongue 52 engaging in one of the notches 51 to lock the handle in storage position. The pedal 53 must be depressed to disengage the tongue 52 from the notch 51 before the handle can be lowered from the storage position. The unoccupied notch 51. illustrated in Figure l will be brought into alignment with the tongue 52 when the handle is in an angular position slightly below the normal operating range thereof. in this instance, the tongue 52 will maintain the handle in such angular position where it can be readily grasped by the operators hand to be raised to normal operating range as soon as the pedal 53 is depressed.

The sealing gaskets 24 and 41 and the bearing rings 37 and 20 and their appurtenances form a continuation of the exhaust passageway 7 to open into an exhaust elbow and filter adapter 55 having a cylindrical inlet portion 56 which has a free pivoting engagement with the exterior surface of the flange 39. The inlet portion 56 also carries a felt sealing washer 57 engaging the exterior surface of the flange 39 to form an air and dirt seal at this point. The elbow 55 is provided with a projecting hub 58 within which is seated a bearing pin 59 axially aligned with the pivot pin 29 and the axial center of the exhaust mouth 81t).

The base 33 of the handle support carries an inwardly projecting boss 60 supporting a spring 61 secured to the boss by a stud 62. The spring 61 has one projecting spring arm 63 which pivotally engages the pin 59 and urges the elbow 55 to the right, as viewed in Figure 3, to make the edge of the inlet mouth thereof bear against the annular flange 40 on the bearing ring 37. It is apparent from the foregoing that the elbow 55 is able to pivot on the flange 3? and spring 63 co-axially with the pivotal axis of the handle and independently thereof. The spring 61 also includes a spring latch section 64 adapted to engage in a depression 65 formed in the face of the elbow 55 directed towards the base 33. In the position of the parts shown in Figures 2 and 3, the spring 64 is engaged in the depression 65 to hold the elbow 55 with its axis vertical in fixed relation to the propelling handle structure. The elbow 55 may, however, be pulled down to the position illustrated in Figure 1, leaving the handle in the upright, storage position, by applying a slight pressure to the elbow to snap the spring 64 out of the depression 65.

As shown most clearly in Figure l, the handle bail flanges 34 and 35 are inclined forwardly and upwardly from the portions thereof engaging the handle support pivots; whereas the base portion 33 of the handle mounting frame curves rearwardly about the pivoting structure as shown at and then continues vertically between the flanges 34 and 35 to terminate rearwardly and below the handle socket 31. The space above the top edge of the base plate 33 and the lower part of the structure joining the socket 31 to the flanges 34 and 35 forms a convenient hand grip for carrying the cleaner. A fabric filter casing 72 is supported at its upper end by a spring 73 secured to the handle 30. The lower end of the filter case 72 is hemmed around a pivoted and openable mouth sealing clamping band 75. The portion of the filter case encasing the clamping band is secured to the upper end of the base plate 33 as indicated at 71 in any desired manner, such as snap fasteners. The filter casing and clamping band are longitudinally split to admit the filter 68 into the casing 72. A slide fastener 74 is provided to close the longitudinal split in the filter casing 72. One end of the clamping band 75 projects from the filter case and is slotted as indicated by the reference character 76. The other end of the band 75 also projects from the casing 72 and hingedly carries a clamping bolt and wing nut 78. When the elbow 55 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 2, the tubular portion 67 thereof will lie within the lower portion of the filter casing 72 after which the filter casing may be closed, causing the band 75 to embrace the conduit 67 and filter mouth 67a. The clamping structure is manipulated to pass the clamping bolt into the slot 76 after which the wing nut may be tightened to seal the filter mouth 67a on the conduit 67 and to secure the filter 68 and the elbow 55 in firm immovable relation to the handle structure.

In normal operation of the apparatus, the filter 68 is enclosed within the porous filter casing 72 and is locked to the handle structure by the band and wing nut locking structure 76-78 in the lower end of the filter casing. This construction forces the elbow 55 to move in unison with the handle but not pivotally with respect thereto, and relieves the comparatively delicate filter 68 of all operating strains except the internal pressure produced by the dirt laden air stream discharged thereinto. As the handle is rocked in normal operation, it pivots on the bushing 36 about the pin 29 and on the bearing ring 37 about the bearing ring 20, and there is no relative movement between the parts 39, 56 and 57 at this time. The only running seal is that formed between the bearing rings 37 and 20 which is sealed by the running seal gasket 41. The bearing shims 48 maintain a compressive action on the sealing gasket 41 and the spring 63 maintains the exhaust elbow in firm sealing engagement with the flange 39. When it is desired to empty or replace the filter, the handle is placed in storage position of Figure 1 and the wing nut and bolt structure 78 released to allow the filter structure to assume the open position illustrated in Figure 2. A light rotating force applied to the elbow 55 will snap the spring 64 out of the depression 65 and allow the elbow to drop down to the position illustrated in Figure 1. The oifset arrangement of the tubular section 67, with respect to the exhaust mouth members 8 and 10, provides a continuously downwardly directed conduit when the elbow 55 is rotated to the Figure 1 position, so that dirt does not tend to fall from the filter 68 back into the cleaner structure. The filter 68 may now be withdrawn for emptying or replacement. When the new filter is applied; it is applied with the position of the parts illustrated in Figure 1, after which the elbow 55 is swung upwardly to the position-of Figure 2, in which position it is retained by the snap spring 64. The spring 64 holds the elbow up and leaves both the operators hands free to. place'the filter 68 within the casing 72, to close the casing, and to secure the sealing and locking parts at the bottom of the filter casing. .The spring 64 retains the elbow 55 in normal operative relation to the handle 30 only when a filter is being assembled with the filter casing 72. In operation, the assembled relation of the handle and exhaust elbow is maintained by the sealing and; clamping ring 75' in the lower end of the filter casing 72.

Though the exhaust elbow 55 pivots with respect to the cleaner body constantly during normal operation of the apparatus, it does not move on its own pivots 3S and 59 at such times, as both these members are carried by the handle and move in unison therewith. Consequently, the bearing surface formed between the elbow 55' and flange 39 is not a normal running bearing and no normal running seal is formed thereat as relative movements between these parts occurs only when the parts are moved to and from the position of Figure 1 for the purpose of emptying or replacing a filter sack.

It is occasionally necessary to remove the exhaust elbow for the purpose of cleaning the same of Wadded dirt or small metal parts which may be thrown thereinto from the fan chamber. This action is readily accomplished without in anywise disturbing the handle or opening a running bearing on the system by bending the spring 63 to the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 3 which disengages the spring from the bearing pin 59 after which the elbow can be moved slightly to the left as viewed in Figure 3 to disengage the same from the cylindrical section 39 which completely disassembles this member from the cleaner proper forservicing, cleaning or other operations.

The herein described construction is particularly advantageous in that both handle and elbow are freely pivotable relative to each other and to the main casting in a construction which utilizes only a single running seal in normal operation of the device. The construction is further characterized by great ease of disassembly, that is, removal of the exhaust elbow construction without disturbing a running bearing and without disturbing the single running seal. The single spring construction which both positions the exhaust elbow on its pivot bearing and releasably latches the same in the upright position during assembly of a vfresh filter sack constitutes a distinct improvement in apparatuses of this type in that it properly positions the parts and leaves both the operators hands free for other manipulations when assembling or removing a filter.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaning apparatus comprising an ambulatory body having a suction nozzle at the front thereof and an exhaust duct terminating in an exhaust port opening transversely of said body at the rear thereof and having an axis extending transversely of the body; a propelling handle for said body, a handle bail supporting said handle and having a pair of spaced supporting legs, bearing means fixed to one of said legs and mounted on said dust for rotational movement about the axis of said duct, means rotatably mounting the other of said legs on said body about the axis of said duct, and an exhaust conduit pivotally mounted on said bearing means in communication with said duct for pivotal movement about the axis of said duct with respect to said handle legs.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a plate connecting said legs forwardly of said conduit, and a pivot pin on said conduit aligned with the axis of said duct, a spring carried by said plate and having a bearing 6 opening receiving said pin, said spring bearing on. aid conduit and biasing the same toward said duct, w

3. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 including a plate connecting said legs forwardly of said conduit, a depression formed in said conduit, and a spring carried by said plate and engaging in said depression to releasably-retain said conduit in fixed relation to said handle. I l

4. In a suction cleaning apparatus 1 comprising a body having a suction nozzle at the front thereof and an exhaust duct at the rear thereof having an axis extending transversely of the body; a propelling handle structure for'said body, an exhaust conduit, means for mounting said conduit and said handle structure for independent pivotal movement about the axis of said duct with said conduit in open communication with said duct, and spring detent means on said handle structure and said conduit for releasably holding said conduit in fixed relation to said handle structure.

5. In a suctioncleaning apparatus comprising a body having a suction nozzle at the front and an exhaust duct at its rear terminating in an opening facing transversely of said body; a propelling handle structure, a bearing ring embracing said duct adjacent said opening, a second bearing ring carried by said handle structure and journalled on said first bearing ring, said second bearing ring including a projecting cylindrical section forming a continuation of said duct, an exhaust conduit adaptedto be connected to a filter journalled on said cylindrical section, and releasable means for constraining said conduit to move in unison with said handle structure.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said first bearing ring includes an inturned flange spaced from the end of said duct, and a gasket positioned between the end of said duct and said flange.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said second bearing ring includes an inturned flange spaced from said first bearing ring flange and a running seal gasket is positioned between said flanges.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said cylindrical section projects from the inner periphery of an inturned flange on said second bearing ring and is telescopically received in said conduit, and spring means on said handle structure biasing said conduit into engagement with said second bearing ring flange.

9. In a suction cleaning apparatus comprising a body having a suction nozzle at its front and an exhaust duct at its rear having an outlet facing transversely of the longi tudinal center line of said body with an axis extending transversely of the body; a propelling handle structure, said handle structure being journalled on said duct for pivotal movement about the axis of said duct and including a projecting ring aligned with and in air sealed relation to said duct, anexhaust conduit adapted to be connected to a filter slidably and pivotally engaged with said ring to form a continuation of said duct, and spring means carried by said handle structure urging said conduit into engagement with said ring.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said conduit and said spring means include complementary parts forming a support bearing for said conduit aligned with and spaced from said duct.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said conduit has a pivot pin projecting therefrom aligned with the axis of said duct, and said spring means comprises a spring leaf pivotally engaging said pin and biasing said conduit into engagement with said ring.

12. In a suction cleaning apparatus comprising a body provided with a suction nozzle at its front and an exhaust duct having an outlet facing transversely of the longitudinal center line of the body with an axis extending transversely of the body; a propelling handle structure journalled on said duct for pivotal movement about the axis of said duct, said handle structure including a ring aligned with and in air sealed relation to said duct to form an extension of said duct, and an exhaust conduit 7 adapted to be connected to a filter communicating with said duct and journaled on said ring for pivotal movement with respect to said duct and said handle. 13. In a suction cleaning. apparatus having a body pro vided with'a suction cleaning nozzle and an exhaust duct having an axis; a propelling handle structure, means on said handle structure and said body mounting said handle structure on said body for arcuate movement about the axis of said duct, means on and movable with said handle structure forming a conduit communicating with said duct. and an exhaust conduit communicating with and journalled on said conduit forming means for pivotal movement about the axis of said duct relative to said conduit forming means. i

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including releasable means on said handle structure. 'normallysecuring said exhaust conduit immovably to said handle structure.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 including releasable means on said handle structure for retaining said exhaust conduit journalled on said conduitforming means.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,939,579 Swartz Dec. 12, 1933 2,009,455 Replogle July 30, 1935 2,175,640 Replogle Oct. 10, 1939 2,558,496 Reeves June 26, 1951 

